Passengers railroaded

WHEN the train operating companies announce a change in ticketing policy, bitter experience tells us they are after even more of our money for what is too often a third-rate service.

This time it’s ‘dynamic pricing’ – an Oyster card-style system whereby busy services would become more expensive and quieter ones cheaper (allegedly).

With typical bluff, rail firms say their aim is to ‘ spread demand more evenly’ and ‘create train- specific and personalised variations of fares’.

How refreshing it would be if they concentrated on providing a punctual, reliable value-for-money service for all their long- suffering passengers – rather than trying to think of ever more elaborate ways to pick our pockets.